Ste was speaking to Idris, "There''s ten grand missing from Urs''s ount, track where that money went."


    The Larkins all bought into Urs''s story.


    Scammed? Ste wasn''t buying it, not for a second.


    Idris nodded, "Right on it."


    And of course, they had to dig deeper!


    ...


    That evening, Ste got back to Wave Residence. Ronald wasn''t home yet; Idris had dropped her off before rushing off to his next errand. The dining table wasid out with her favorite dishes from back in Ferrond. But midway through the meal, Ronald called. Not waiting for the butler, Ste answered the phone herself.


    "Stop worrying, I''ve barely had one bowl!"


    It was as if she was a child, with him fretting over how much she ate.


    Did Ronald ever tire of worrying?


    She hoped he wouldn''t start thinking she was immature, too dependent on him to fret over. That was onebel she refused to carry.


    Ronald asked, "Being this good?"


    His gentle tone carried a pampering affection only meant for Ste.


    Ste retorted, "When I''m full, I''ll stop eating, okay? Stop fussing over me."


    "It''s hard not to worry about you."


    Ste simply fell silent!


    Fine, if he insisted on worrying, let him worry then.


    "When are youing home? Have you been drinking?" Ste''s tone softened noticeably. Ronald replied, "I''ll be back in about two hours, had a bit to drink. Don''t wait up, go to sleep." "Alright, got it."


    After hanging up, Ste returned to the dining room, determined to eat her fill despite Ronald''s reminder. The butler couldn''t help but feel impressive seeing her go for another two bowls.


    Fine, a hearty appetite was indeed a blessing.


    Just as she finished her meal and stepped out into the garden to walk it off, Yorick''s call came through.


    "What do you want exactly? Haven''t you caused enough trouble?"


    On the phone, Ste couldn''t hide her annoyance with Yorick, clearly fed up with his antics.


    As Yorick heard her tone, his breathing grew more frantic, "Who owns Wave Residence?"


    Ste asked, "What for?"


    "Tell him I''ll buy it, no matter the cost."


    Ste was speechless.


    Yorick''s urgency surely meant Urs had stirred the pot at the hospital again.


    Typical! Yorick always lost it when it came to Urs.


    "He won''t sell, give it up."


    Yorick exploded, "Tell me who the owner is! I''ve heard rumors, the guy''s sixty-six, Ste, are you really with some old fossil?"


    Ste had been linked to different


    men these past few days. Now, who really owned Wave Residence was anyone''s guess for Yorick. Coupled with Urs''s situation, he barely had time to muse over; his mind was a mess!


    Hearing the "Sixty-six", Ste thought, Yorick wasn''t just a dimwit; his whole being was encapsted in confusion!


    "Would it kill you if I wanted to inherit his fortune? If I''m not allowed being with an old man, then with you? You think I''d prefer your family''s drama? That old man''s living the dream-no parents, no nosy aunts or uncles. What a blissful life."


    Yorick was speechless.


    Heart attack, imminent!